The Arab Spring has turned into a Syrian Winter. Although Bashar al-Assad will fall, global opinion has not rallied to Syria's opposition as it did when demonstrations erupted in Egypt, Libya and elsewhere.
The Obama administration has said many of the right things, but Russia and China have blocked concerted action against the regime. Iran may prefer the resident dynast as well.
Assad’s departure is greatly to be desired. Yet the countries that are overthrowing their dictatorship seem unlikely to become new Swedens. Indeed, conditions for religious minorities, especially Christians, may grow worse. Egypt’s Copts have fallen under siege, for instance. Christians have fled Iraq, too. Religious tolerance may be the most accurate gauge of a county's decency and its commitment to liberty. The early signs from the region are not good.
Still, the U.S. and its allies ought to promote Assad’s foes. A coalition imposed a no-flight zone in Libya, which materially aided the opposition. Syria’s revolutionaries deserve no less.
Adapted from the Richmond Times-Dispatch
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